Fernando Torres: I was surprised Everton fans were so friendly

Terrific, feature-length interview with El Nino on Liverpool’s official website today, in which he manages to mention John Lennon, The Beatles and Albert Dock. No mention for Jimmy Tarbuck or Cilla though – the times, they have a changed.

Nando’s opinion of Everton fans was perhaps the most revealing quote:

LFC: What are Evertonians like with you?

Torres: To be honest, I have to say thank-you to the Evertonian people as well because they also come and ask me things and talk to me in a really good way. When I was in Madrid, the Real Madrid fans didn’t like me. But here the Everton fans are really friendly with me. I was surprised at first.

LFC: What does that say about the people of this city?

Torres: Yes, the people here are very different. In Madrid the people don’t have as much respect for players. You can’t do the things normal people do. But here people are very respectful of players away from the pitch. I can go to the supermarket, I can go for a drink anywhere. The quality of life here for me is much better because I can do everything I want. I am a normal person here. I can go for a walk along the beach or up to Formby. Every place I go I can act normally.

Nuff respect to Everton fans, who do their club a great credit. Not that I’m surprised as Torres is a very rare footballer: a humble, likeable superstar with no apparent delusions of grandeur. What’s not to like?